The New York Times and New York Public Library announced their best illustrated children’s books of 2021: I Am the Subway, written and illustrated by Kim Hyo-eun, translated from Korean by Deborah Smith The Night Walk, written and illustrated by Marie Dorléans Time Is a Flower, written and illustrated by Julie Morstad It Fell From the Sky, written and illustrated by Terry Fan and Eric Fan The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess, written and illustrated by Tom Gauld ¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge, written and illustrated by Raúl the Third, colors by Elaine Bay While You’re Sleeping, written […]
Best of
Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of the Year
Barnes & Noble kicked off best books of the year season, this time announcing their “top ten-ish” (e.g. 11) titles, along with a full package of top tens from across 14 categories. Selected by the chain’s buyers, four of the top books, noted below with asterisks, have not been published yet — but presumably BN already secured significant copies to avoid going out of stock on the promotional titles. The 1619 Project, by Nikole Hannah-Jones* Burnt Toast & Other Disasters, by Cal Peternell Call Us What We Carry, by Amanda Gorman* Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr Crying in H […]
People, Etc.
Obituaries National Book Award winner Barry Lopez, 75, died Christmas Day following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. Publishing veteran Roland Elgey, 65, died recently of colorectal cancer. He was 65 years old. His 40 years in publishing included serving as president of Que Computer Publishing and svp of sales at Que/Sams, Hungry Minds. Later in his career he worked in publishing services, most recently as vp for business development at Integra Software Services. Biographer Scott Donaldson, 92, died on December 1 of lung cancer. Poet Jean Valentine, 86, whose collection Door in the Mountain, won the 2004 National Book Award, […]
The Best of the Best Children’s Books of 2020
For the second year, we are pleased to present a terrific tabulation of the consensus Best of the Best Children’s Books of 2020. Drawing on 20 selective sources in all, the data naturally provided a clear set of top titles across young adult, middle grade, and picture books. With more lists focused on young adult books than any other segment, we also have a top 10 young adult list to share. Top 3 Young Adult Books of the Year 1. Stamped, Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi (Little, Brown Children’s) 2. Clap When You Land, Elizabeth Acevedo (Quill Tree) 3. […]
The Final, Very Best of the Best Books of 2020
With 59 votes tabulated we’re ready to present the final and ultimate aggregation of selective “best of 2020” book lists from all over — including major publications of all kinds, but also retailer and library selections, major award nominees, public votes, new “tastemakers” and more. This year Isabel Wilkerson’s CASTE led as “book of the year” from start to finish — and it becomes the first work of nonfiction to claim that distinction since we started compiling these aggregated lists. In fiction, Brit Bennett’s THE VANISHING HALF also led the field the entire way. A big five of the top […]
Briefs
Andrea Walker has joined Azantian Literary Agency as agent. She was previously an agent at Olswanger Literary. William Morris Endeavor named 25 new partners across the agency, including Margaret Riley King in the books department. WME also told staff that the pay reductions imposed in April will be restored starting January 1. Best Of Barack Obama shared his favorite books of the year. His picks include novels by Brit Bennett, Raven Leilani, and Kawai Strong Washburn, all featured in our Buzz Books 2020 Spring/Sumer anthology. Homeland Elegies, by Ayad Akhtar Jack, by Marilynne Robinson Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson The Splendid […]